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Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel. I own Addison Carter.

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"Come on Wilson," Tony grunted, him and Rhodey pulling him away from the metal bars.

They dealt with Sinister's 'Children' only for Spider-Man to tell them Wade and Addison were in big trouble. The destroyed body of Sinister was good.

Wade and Addison stabbed by metal bars was not. Wade would be fine, but not Addison.

"FRIDAY, give me everything."

He wasn't a doctor, but he understood a lung and an artery were wounded and that time was quickly running out. FRIDAY called the closest emergency services.

"Boss, it seems her powers are trying to heal her or at least stop the bleeding."

"What? You sure?"

"Indeed. It seems the bars are blocking them."

"Rhodey, give me a hand!"

"Tony what are you doing? She's going to bleed out!" He already had his hands around the bar.

"Just help me! FRIDAY said her powers were...it's adaptability, it's trying to adapt to the wound."

Reluctantly, Rhodey helped him. Of course, he panicked inside when blood started to pour from his goddaughter's body but it stopped quickly. She took in a small, weak breath.

The X-Men were still at Neverland. At Sinister's facility were Logan, Gambit, Psylocke and the Avengers Unity Squad, or Uncanny Avengers, as well as Peter and Wanda. He had asked the kid that he might call him as backup if it came to it and he insisted on coming immediately period, so he left him with Maximoff.

Now this was a surprising turn of event. He didn't know what happened after Rogers broke into the Raft. Sure, he knew Lang and Barton were back with their families, but he had thought the rest had stick together. He was wrong.

Vision had been...seeing her behind his back. Not that he was mad, Vision was not JARVIS. It was just weird to think the android he created was...lying to him to see a girl. He had convinced her to come help them though. With Pietro and Addison there, she decided to come and 'do the right thing'.

They had needed it. He would see later what would happen to Addison and Wanda regarding the Sokovia Accords, but for now, they needed serious medical care. Doctor Cho had been contacted by FRIDAY to meet up with them at the hospital.

When he found himself waiting in front of the emergency room, Tony ran his hands on his face. Just an hour before the meeting with the UN panel, they had received new information. Mystique, who was probably gone somewhere by now, had discovered someone named Doctor Windsor was actually Mister Sinister by going through Weapon X's files. He had been keeping Addison very close to him.

It was a difficult choice but instead of saying the words, they 'hunted' her down, following her from a distance to find out where Sinister's facility was. From there, Gambit and Psylocke needed to get inside and get Addison out.

God, the plan was a mess, it was a miracle nobody actually got seriously hurt apart from Addison. Well, Wade had had all the bones in his body broken but he was back on his feet quickly.

The worst though was Neverland. Upon realizing they were being infiltrated, they started to terminate every mutant and enhanced individual there was in the camp. The UN panel had sent teams to count the losses, McCoy, Storm and Cyclops there to make sure they didn't try to hide anything. Just to be safe, Vision was also there.

How much did Addie even forget? How long, how hard would it be for her to remember after her surgery, if she…He gulped. No, he couldn't lose her too.

He just hoped she would be better than Barnes.

"Tony." He got up and embraced Pepper, who embraced him back. "Any news?"

"Not yet. Gosh Pepper, I'm so glad you're here."

"Of course, I'm worried too."

They sat together in silence, holding hands.

Waiting was the worst torture one could have sometimes.

February 27th, 2017, Avengers Compound

I slowly opened my eyes, the sun shining through the window. My whole body was numb from not having moved in a long time. I looked to my right. There was a big window and apparently a vast yard. I looked to my left and saw an electrocardiogram. A deep sigh escaped my lips when I moved my arm, realizing there was a needle stuck in it.

"Hello Sleeping Beauty." I looked at the man who just came in and pursed my lips.

"Tony Stark, Iron Man," I mumbled. He raised his brows and sat down next to my bed.

"Do you remember me?"

"No," I replied. "Yes, it's…"

"Professor Xavier, you were his student and he's a great telepath, said that sleeping for a month would help your mind to heal and that your telepathic shield would come back, and that your memories were…"

"Were locked away in my mind, not wiped," I whispered. My throat was dry, which he must have noticed to my raspy voice. He gave me a glass of water.

"It seems like you did it on your own, like a defense mechanism because you knew what they wanted you to do. Well, as apparently your mind was...altered by Sinister, maybe you knew he was bad news and you locked away your memories to keep them safe." I pursed my lips.

"I don't...I don't remember you exactly, but I know I know you. You're...familiar. Like this girl, Wanda, I knew I knew her, but couldn't remember…"

"That's okay. You...you know that you're safe here, right?"

"I...I guess? I feel...why do I feel like someone might come here and take me away...again?"

"Ha, that. Well...you...broke the law last year. You didn't agree with it and someone you know was wrongly accused of something, so you helped him and broke the law. After that you went on the run. As you had a...criminal past, coming back here could have sent you in jail."

"But I'm here."

"Yeah, because you were pardoned. Wanda...too. After that night, Neverland and the facility, she saw what was happening and said she wanted to fix her mistakes and that if facing authorities was the way to go, she would."

"Is she here?"

"No. She lost control of her powers last year and she doesn't want that to happen again, so we made a deal with the UN. She's pardoned if she follows a strict training at the Institute. She wanted to anyway."

I...was relieved.

"The other woman…"

"Natasha?" I nodded. Natasha, Nikita...Natalia. "She's on the run. She didn't want to face the law, saying it would block her so...she's on the run. I didn't say she was there or helped and let her keep my tech. Really, I feel like Santa." I looked around. "Do you recognize your room? It hasn't changed since before going to London last year." I gulped. "Addison?"

"I'm fine."

My name is Addison Carter. Then they…

"I'm...I'm still tired, I think that…"

"Sure, sure." He awkwardly hugged me. I stayed still but his embrace was tight. He kissed my temple and left.

I rubbed my temple distractedly. The sting of electricity…

Tears fell on my clenched fists on my thighs, silent. I looked all around me. Was it the place I used to call home? I couldn't...I didn't even remember it.

I took my head in my hands, locks of hair slipping through my fingers as I pulled on them, biting back a sob. God, what...what did I do?

What did I do thinking I was doing the right thing? How many people did I…

I...I didn't know who I was, I only had feelings of familiarity regarding some people, or even this place and...

What was I supposed to do now? Could I get my memories back? Did I want them all back at once or…

I wiped my tears and sniffed deeply. I didn't want to remember the first month at Neverland, Sinister said that...they tortured me to see the extent of my powers and...I looked at my hands. A green 'M' was on each of my palms, showing I was useful to the Program. Tony said they terminated prisoners when…

I hugged my knees to my chest, removing the needle in my arm, and sobbed quietly.

What was I even supposed to believe in when each time I'd think about Doctor Windsor, there was the bitter taste of betrayal in me when I'd see him turning into Mister Sinister all over again?

During the next few days, I didn't leave my room. Pietro, Vision and Rhodey visited me, like Tony, Wade, Piotr, Doctor McCoy and Professor Xavier himself. He could unlock my memories.

I told him I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do right now, without having a good knowledge of what was around me. He accepted not to do anything, saying that ultimately it was my choice to decide whether or not I wanted my memories back normally or not. I just wanted to...know me.

After a week, I went to the backyard when the sun was starting to set. The Avengers Compound was huge yet was familiar and I...didn't seem to have any trouble to find my way inside. It was strange, not remembering yet knowing. I guess it was like body reflex.

"Addison." I looked up.

"Natasha," I greeted her. She was dressed pretty blandly. She removed the beanie she had but kept her sunglasses and I made a face. "You're...blond." She also looked...different, like she had been through hell recently.

"Red stands out too much."

"Red is better." She smiled faintly.

"Just like curly hair is better?" I nodded and she sat down next to me on the bench. We were in the landing zone. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I'm gonna punch anyone who asks me this question starting tomorrow." She smirked. "Sorry, it's…"

"I get it, at some point you just want to be left alone and not reminded every second of what happened."

"Yeah, that's pretty much it." I looked at her with a small frown. "I don't remember you but I know I know you. Tony said you were on the run."

"I am, I wanted to check on you before leaving for good."

"Where?" She just shot me a knowing look. "Of course you can't tell."

"It would defeat the purpose of 'being on the run'."

"Can't argue with that." I pursed my lips. "Sorry for the...whole trying to kill you thing."

"It's not the first time friends try to kill me. Without powers, you can't beat me anyway."

"It's a big claim."

"I trained you Carter," she explained, raising a confident brow.

"Well that explains you blocking my blows all the time."

"Do you know what you're going to do now you're free?"

"Free?"

"All of your criminal past has been pardoned since Neverland and what it uncovered because of how the military and government is in part responsible. You're...free and no longer bound to the Avengers."

"What am I supposed to do with freedom when I don't know my own identity?" I replied in a whisper. I pursed my lips, running my thumb on the 'M' on my right palm. "I thought...I was so sure to do the right thing but Sinister, he just...he altered things that were basically nothing in my mind and I willingly helped him and let him use me as a...test subject. I helped him take people and put them in his...horror house."

"Even the best of us can be deceived," she said quietly before taking a deep breath. "What do you know about me?"

"Ex-Soviet spy and assassin, then SHIELD and Avenger."

"It's more than enough. I joined SHIELD to turn my life around and do some good after years of things I'll regret for the rest of my life. When HYDRA was discovered rooted so deeply in the organization...it was a throw back for me. A realization that at the end of the day, I traded the KGB for HYDRA. But the Avengers were there and were fighting the good fight and it helped." I smirked wryly.

"I hear you, but the Avengers aren't really a thing anymore."

"The Avengers as we used to know? Who knows. But the idea of the Avengers? I don't think it will ever die. We're...not the only people who can do this job and Tony making up this new team is proof of that."

"Did you feel like you belonged?"

"Sorry?"

"You...you were a spy for years and had so many names. Did you feel like you belonged here?"

"After a while, yes," she answered honestly after a few seconds. "I...finally felt like I had a real family." She smiled bitterly. "Of course, all families have disagreements."

"Now you know a part of the family is back together you're going to make sure the other part is okay?" She chuckled.

"Yes, you could put it like that. I came back in New York because I wanted to fix what the Accords had done. That we agreed to them or not...we were all guilty of what happened. I couldn't run away from my actions anymore. You can't run from your past forever."

"Thanks for your help Nat," I said with a lump in my throat. I bit my bottom lip at I felt my eyes watering. "Not everyone is like you."

"Not everyone knows what guilt feels like. You, Tony, the twins, myself...we know. I may have broken the Accords and helped Steve and Barnes leave in Germany but...Steve and Sam were both in the army and it shows. I know why Tony signed. I know why Steve didn't."

"Yet you can't find it in yourself to fully side with one of them," I finished for her with a small smile. "I...I share the feeling." I put my hand on my heart. "Right here. Damn, it's so infuriating to feel things but not remember why."

"You will, in time. I'm sure Barnes would understand you more than anyone and be able to help you but...I doubt you know where he is."

"Who's that Barnes?"

"James Buchanan Barnes, or Bucky, previously the Winter Soldier. You...you had a thing with him. You told me about how you were feeling about him."

"Huh." I wrinkled my nose. "Romantic feelings? Seems like a hassle." She chuckled once more.

"I concur." She stood up and I did the same. "I need to go now. Focus on getting to know yourself." I nodded and hugged her. She froze for a second but hugged me back.

"Be careful out there. Keep them out of troubles."

"I will." I broke our embrace and she disappeared in the bushes.

She was human. All the Avengers were. Even Captain America. I clenched my jaw at the betrayal that settled within me once more. Maybe I...I never realized that and it was thrown in my face? I don't know.

However, keeping thinking 'I don't know' wouldn't make me know faster. I took a deep breath in the chilly air.

"Addison." I looked above my shoulders, hugging myself in my fuzzy blue cardigan. It was Tony. "Dinner's ready, it's Mexican." I nodded and went back inside.

"Tony."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for coming." He blinked, taken back.

"That's nothing kid." I smiled shyly at him.

"Not to me." He scratched his neck and awkwardly patted my shoulder.

"Sure, let's go eat."

I was a mess. The other day I freaked out because I saw ice cubes in a drink and it terrified me. Nobody threw me out or anything, if anything they tried to help me. They...they didn't try to treat me like they would have if I remembered, they...were considerate, letting me go at my own pace.

I didn't see them like a family like Natasha did, except maybe Tony who I knew was my godfather, but I felt comfortable here. Nostalgic.

Most of all, I believed Tony when he said I was safe. Pietro told me Wanda was fine at the Institute too.

I didn't remember what happened before Neverland, but still knew I was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

March 18th, 2017, ex-Mutant Town

I was standing nervously next to Pietro, who had a comforting arm over my shoulders. After Neverland and the mess it was in the media, not that everything was revealed, but a place where they kept enhanced individual prisoners for no reason and then killed them was no good press, the UN had no other choice but take down the Sokovia Accords. I didn't know if the Rogue Avengers would show up at the Compound as the UN said the Avengers were to thank for destroying Neverland, but they would still face the laws. The Accords were no more but would be replaced, and they still broke the law at the time, so they'd still face justice.

Anyway, there were public apologies from the UN, US and Canadian governments, saying that what happened was despicable and unacceptable in our era. People were marching in the streets for equality between people and enhanced people and a lot of money was suddenly available to reinstate mutants among society.

It was the first step. Right now, we were in Mutant Town. Most people left it. It remained a proof of the discrimination and marginalization there had been though, and as such Tony personally bought the old Shakespeare's, the club that blew up and another building next to it. He built a 'rehabilitation' center for mutants and enhanced individuals. The Sokovia Accords stated that minor mutants fell under the X-Men, but it was not enough.

Here, people who did not have the chance to receive adequate training with their powers or who were rejected because of them had a chance to basically learn what they needed to start their lives fresh. It would also be the place where they would go if there was an accident instead of the Raft. Rhodey was convincing. He made a whole speech saying imprisonment never helped anyone, that rehabilitation and helping individuals did. In the center worked regular people and mutants Professor X knew and contacted. Himself and Doctor Grey would come here often as well as the center had close connections with the Institute.

"I am very proud to officially open the first Insertion Center for Mutants and Enhanced Individuals, or ICMEI for short," Tony said in his mic, photos being taken. He turned around and cut off the ribbon.

I rubbed my eyes because of the flash. We were on the side and I had a baseball cap on, Pietro had a whole collection now, but it still blinded me. Tony answered a few questions and then we all went inside. Basically, Tony and Pietro were here, Professor Xavier, Doctor Grey and Scott, Logan, Ororo and some of UN representatives as well as American ones. Wanda was on the other side of her brother, a baseball cap on as well.

"I heard there'd be everything from education to specialized therapists," Pietro told us.

"People who actually can do their job right? Unbelievable," Wanda replied sarcastically. I shook my head.

"I still can't believe you lied about your age," I muttered under my breath, folding my arms on my chest.

"We thought it'd be safer for us." They weren't born in 1996 but in 1989, it was a big difference.

Hell, they were older than I was.

Oh, right, I forgot. I was back to being an Avenger, well reserve member. While the Uncanny Avengers would be called in very bad scenario or if it was related to mutants or enhanced individuals, the regular Avengers would take care of 'regular' threats in order to cover more ground. They still came to train at the Compound.

Seeing Logan there was shocking. Tony personally invited him. He told me that after everything that had happened, the team truly needed all kind of persons and personalities and most of all, methods.

So yeah, Wolverine was a regular Avenger. I had recovered some memories by being with people so much, but others like Steve or Sam were just...names for now. I'd probably recognize them deep down but…

We reached the basement. The center had six floors up and three down in the basement. We were on the lower basement, in a big empty room.

"This is the 'training' area, so that they can practice their powers and have them under control. The walls, ceiling and floor are made of vibranium, courtesy of the King of Wakanda T'Challa."

"You worked with him?" an American representative asked Tony.

"Actually, he contacted me after watching the news," Tony corrected him.

We finished the visit of the establishment in silence, at least the three of us. Wanda went back to the Compound with us so that we could hang out.

I really appreciated how...they allowed me to do things at my own pace. Sure, sometimes they would ask me if I really was sure of doing something that might trigger me, but other than that and treated me as normally as possible. Yes, it could be awkward when they'd mention a memory I didn't remember, but I was getting better.

I think that I would ask for my memories to simply be unlocked soon.

However, when we left Wanda's car, there was a foreign, expensive car. We shared a look and entered the building.

"Miss Carter, there is a guest who would like to see you in the meeting room." I looked outside at the car.

"Someone you know?" Pietro asked me. I shot him a blank look, pointing at my head. "Right, forgot. You're more chill about your amnesia than before." I rolled my eyes and left them.

"We're having a movie marathon, right? Just pick them! And sweet popcorn!"

"Noted!" Wanta shouted back to me as I was about to reach the stairs.

I furrowed my brows at the black man, here with two black women who seemed to mean business. I wouldn't want to piss them off.

"Hi?" I greeted them. Rhodey was there already, Doctor McCoy as well.

"Miss Carter, it is a pleasure to see you again," the man greeted me with a smile, standing up to meet me. I looked at his hand, confused, and shook it, shooting a very obvious look to Rhodey.

He cleared his throat and came to my help, walking next to me.

"Addison, this is the King of Wakanda, T'Challa. You met him in Germany last year and even went to Wakanda in 2011." I blinked.

It was too far for me to remember on my own.

"And these ladies are two of the Dora Milaje, an elite group of female bodyguards in Wakanda."

"I...see." The King furrowed his brows.

"Forgive us your Highness, we did not make it public. While Addison's involvement needed to be known for her to be pardoned by the President and UN, her...amnesia was kept hidden for safety measure."

"Amnesia?" he repeated, pursing his lips at me. "You do not remember me at all, do you?" I shook my head.

"I'm sorry."

"Do not be, I doubt you wanted whatever caused your memory loss to happen." I nodded. "However, it might make our task harder."

"In spite of her amnesia, I'm sure she can be of good advice," Rhodey said. "That, and MI:13 contacted her already to check up on her. If we really want it to work, then we need to have as much allies in as many places as possible."

"What are you talking about?" I sat down at the table, like them.

"The Wakanda signed the Sokovia Accords but it is obvious now they were flawed way too much," Hank explained.

"Yes, and you want to replace them." He nodded.

"The Avengers will still work with the UN, key word being 'with' and not 'for'. Clearly, they will be in their good right to reprimand us and make decisions if things come to worst, but other than that it is clear they are more than unprepared to deal with the issues of today and most of all, would want to take advantage of it. At least some of them would," Rhodey explained. "However, the border issue remain. We can't act like the world police."

"It would only make people doubt you in the end," T'Challa said, to which Rhodey nodded.

"Exactly." I pursed my lips.

I had been contacted by Brian. There...was something. This discussion reminded me of something.

"Enhanced individuals are more and more numerous, aren't they?" I asked them. They nodded. "Then why...why only count on the Avengers?"

"What do you mean?" Rhodey asked me. I shrugged.

"I mean, the Avengers is a US based superhero team. If...if let's say there's a situation in the UK, wouldn't it be easier if there was a UK based team who takes care of it?" They shared a look. "What, there's no way no one ever thought about it, right? It solves the border issue. I mean, I know MI:13 would fund a superhero team in the UK, and other countries probably could as well, or at least organizations. Then you create a network for each team to communicate efficiently in time of worldwide crisis."

"On the principle it is great, but then some people might complain about relying on super people. I mean, the military in particular would feel useless."

"Well we each have our field," T'Challa countered. "It is something to keep in mind, it might be the next step. Earth has faced many threats in the past few years and there's only so much the Avengers alone can deal with."

"I can't argue with that," Rhodey mumbled. "We saw already how mutants were glad the Uncanny Avengers existed so...on paper it is a good idea, now we would need to see how it can be put in place efficiently."

I was allowed to leave them an hour later, when Tony arrived. However, the King called me once I was out of the room.

"Yes?" He pulled a white envelop from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed out to me. I accepted it. "For me?"

"From Sergeant Barnes," he whispered to me. "Keep to yourself you know where he is now." I gulped and looked at the envelop. My name was written on it.

"Thanks," I thanked him awkwardly. "Tell him I...I received it." He shot me a scrutinizing look.

"You don't remember him either," he stated and I pursed my lips. "I shall keep your amnesia a secret."

"Thanks."

I went to my room and leaned against the door, looking at the envelop. I took a deep breath. I mean, apparently I had feelings for the guy. I had seen pictures of him and he was not ugly but…

I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was written in this, intimate thoughts or not, they were not really for me.

I left it unopened and put it in a drawer of my desk before going joining the twins.

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